Dear Faculty, Staff and Students
Welcome back for the 2020 Spring Quarter. We want to keep you updated with the latest information about the coronavirus (COVID-19) and its impacts on our community. We are maintaining contact with local and state health officials as well as our higher education community and others.
Earlier this afternoon, Gov. John Bel Edwards verified that the State of Louisiana has its first presumptive case of COVID-19. Information on the virus continues to show that some people are at higher risk of getting very sick from the virus, including older adults and people who have serious chronic medical conditions like heart disease, diabetes, and lung disease.
The presumptive case was reported in a Jefferson Parish resident who was hospitalized in Orleans Parish. Presumptive cases mean a person is presumed to have an illness but will still need further testing to positively confirm they have the virus.
There have been no other cases reported in the state to date, and officials are working to stop the possible spread of the virus. Human coronaviruses spread just like the flu or a cold — through the air by coughing or sneezing; through close personal contact, like touching or shaking hands; by touching an object or surface with the viruses on it; and occasionally, through fecal contamination.
Health-care professionals say one of the most important ways to help stop the spread of any virus is frequent and thorough hand-washing with soap and water for 20 seconds or longer. We should also practice social distancing and avoid those handshakes and hugs that are common on our campus. I ask that each of us do our part to follow these guidelines and others issued by the CDC.
Our highest priority is the health and safety of our students, faculty and staff. We will also do our best to ensure that students’ academic progress continues and students can achieve their course goals this quarter. Registration for our Spring Quarter will continue and classes will begin as planned on Wednesday.
Our Emergency Response Team (ERT) meets regularly to ensure the safety and health of our students, faculty, and staff. To stay up to date on developments, please review the ERT website at ert.latech.edu.
Les Guice
President